Brazil

With One Voice Brazil was a three-year capacity building and international exchange programme delivered in partnership with People's Palace Projects. It culminated in a week long Arts & Homelessness Occupation of Rio de Janeiro, as part of the Cultural Olympiad Rio 2016. 17 international delegates from 5 different countries were invited to the city, to participate in over 30 events, which included workshops, multi arts training sessions, meetings, seminars, pop up performances and a final arts event celebrating the project. Over 210 homeless people were involved in choir training sessions and the setup of 10 new choir groups, and an estimate audience of 3,200 people engaged in public events during the week.

At the end of the programme, it was clear that the links forged with the Brazilian partners and the newly expanded arts and homeless sector in Rio de Janeiro were stronger than ever and we were all asking the question about how the project could become sustainable and develop further. Since August 2016 Corais Uma só Voz choir training sessions and performances have continued (there are now 7 choirs) and an advisory board formed by 10 members of Rio’s partnering organisations, from civic and civil society, still meets monthly.